Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1366 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,510 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1165 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1366 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in West Palm Beach, Florida, Palm Beach Atlantic University enrolls roughly 2,603 undergraduates. Retention stands at 68.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 55.3%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a private institution of this size. Palm Beach Atlantic University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1165 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,510 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Palm Beach Atlantic University in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's focus on Business and related fields aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Palm Beach Atlantic University enrolls 23.0% Pell-eligible students and 22.0% first-generation undergraduates, positioning the institution in the 27.9 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a private institution, Palm Beach Atlantic University carries a higher sticker price than public alternatives, which shapes its 26.5 percentile ranking for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families weighing net price and financial aid, Financial GPS tool provides personalized affordability scenarios across income levels and debt projections.
Palm Beach Atlantic University's published cost of attendance is $53,827. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $25,570, middle-income families pay around $25,619, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,786. Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1047 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,324; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,983, median federal debt of $22,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $254 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a strong fit for students interested in Business who want a private college experience in FL. The university's program mix leans toward applied fields, with 26% of degrees in Business. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,983, placing Palm Beach Atlantic University in the 24.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $7,510 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 27.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 23.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.0% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $32,786, and median federal student debt at graduation is $22,500. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 82.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors applied fields over research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a pathway to meaningful earnings.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Palm Beach Atlantic University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Palm Beach Atlantic University's published cost of attendance is $53,827. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation: low-income families pay approximately $25,570, middle-income families pay around $25,619, and higher-income families pay approximately $32,786.
Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1047 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $22,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,324; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,983, median federal debt of $22,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $254 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Palm Beach Atlantic University earn median 4-year earnings of $54,983, placing Palm Beach Atlantic University in the 24.7 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $7,510 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Palm Beach Atlantic University in the 27.6 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Palm Beach Atlantic University #1165 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Palm Beach Atlantic University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Psychology, General is the largest program with 49 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $51,530, delivering 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Nursing program graduates 47 students earning $76,008, while Business Administration with 37 graduates earns $59,081.
Biology, General rounds out the top programs with 25 graduates earning $56,258. This program mix—anchored in Business—supports solid early-career outcomes and positions graduates for stable career pathways in fields with consistent employer demand.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southeastern University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36132 ranked) | FL | 53% | $46,744 | #36132 | Compare |
Lawrence University Similar quality tier (#36135 ranked) | WI | 64% | $55,789 | #36135 | Compare |
Emory & Henry University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36136 ranked) | VA | 84% | $47,385 | #36136 | Compare |
Concordia University-Nebraska Similar quality tier (#36127 ranked) | NE | 86% | $52,415 | #36127 | Compare |
Culinary Institute Of America Similar quality tier (#36126 ranked) | NY | 91% | $47,475 | #36126 | Compare |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
47 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
15 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
16 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
37 graduates
Biology, General
25 graduates
Palm Beach Atlantic University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's focus on career-ready undergraduate education. Psychology, General is the largest program with 49 graduates, followed by Nursing, Business Administration, Kinesiology, and Biology, General.
Across 25 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with several delivering solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with the institution's applied-professional positioning. The earnings pattern reflects strength in business and accounting fields.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $76,008 four years after enrollment among 47 graduates, while Human Resources Management and Services graduates earn $60,379 and Business Administration graduates earn $59,081. Biology, General and Digital Marketing round out the highest-earning programs, with graduates earning $56,258 and $53,668 respectively.
These outcomes correspond to the institution's concentration in Business, which accounts for a substantial share of degrees and connects directly to stable, in-demand career pathways in finance, management, and professional services. Most of Palm Beach Atlantic University's dominant programs are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly and earnings reflect regional labor-market outcomes in South Florida's business and hospitality sectors.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with current wage trends and hiring demand in the region.
